WWL strengthens Russian position

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has opened a European branch in St Petersburg, in a move to strengthen its logistics presence in Russia.

The company first established a transhipment service from St Petersburg in January 2009, specifically for high and heavy RoRo cargoes coming from the Americas and Asia.

The service runs weekly from Gothenburg to St Petersburg via Kotka in Finland and typically carries agricultural and construction equipment, and vehicles.

WWL is offering another service to and from St Petersburg and other ports in the Baltic Sea based on transhipment solutions with commercial short-sea carriers.

The company plans to offer its customers its full portfolio in Russia, including ocean services, terminal and technical services, inland transport and supply chain management.

Anders Boman, chief executive, Europe, WWL, said: “The opening of our St Petersburg office is a milestone in developing our presence in Russia. Despite the current downturn, we believe in the Russian market for the long term. In the future we are looking to expand our offering in the country, adding Black Sea ports and rail for cargo originating in Asia to complement our Baltic Sea services.

“Customer demand will determine when and which services we introduce first into Russia alongside our existing ocean product. However, by the end of 2009 we intend to offer supply chain management expertise and inland transport using carefully selected third-party providers in the country.” he added.

Initially WWL will be serve St Petersburg weekly with a transhipment service from Gothenburg, Sweden and Kotka, Finland, with additional feeder services from Bremerhaven, Germany and Zeebrugge, and Belgium.

The company expects to ship a wide variety of cargoes including automotive, high and heavy RoRo cargoes and static/break-bulk and project cargoes to and from St Petersburg.